Automatically Locating Users In Proximity To A User Of A Social Networking System

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for automatically locating web-based social network members are provided. According to one embodiment, contact content including an associated GPS identifier and status for web-based social network members located at or near the same location automatically appears on a GPS-enabled device. A further exemplary system includes a GPS-enabled device configured to receive a GPS identifier and a status representing a location and a current state for a web-based social network member, a processing module that associates the received GPS-identifier and the received status, and a communications module that sends the associated GPS-identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based social network database. Contact content in a web-based social network database record in the web-based social network database is updated to include the associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based social network member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/875,977 filed on Sep. 3, 2010 titled “Systems And MethodsFor Automatically Locating Web-Based Social Network Members,” which is acontinuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,809,805 filed on Feb. 28, 2007 titled“Systems And Methods For Automatically Locating Web-Based Social NetworkMembers,” both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/639,655 filed on Dec. 14, 2006 for “Systems and Methods for SocialMapping,” which in turn claims the benefit and priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/750,844 filed on Dec. 14,2005 for “Systems and Methods for Social Mapping,” which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/646,206 filed on Dec. 26, 2006 for “Systems and Methods for SocialTimeline,” which in turn claims the benefit and priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/753,810 filed on Dec. 23,2005 for “Systems and Methods for Social Timeline,” which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/493,291 filed on Jul. 25, 2006 for “Systems and Methods forDynamically Generating a Privacy Summary,” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/499,093 filed on Aug. 2, 2006 for “Systems and Methods forDynamically Generating Segmented Community Flyers,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/502,757 filed on Aug. 11, 2006 for “Systems and Methods forGenerating Dynamic Relationship-Based Content Personalized for Membersof a Web-Based Social Network,” which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/503,093 filed on Aug. 11, 2006 for “Systems and Methods for MeasuringUser Affinity in a Social Network Environment,” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/503,037 filed on Aug. 11, 2006 for “Systems and Methods for ProvidingDynamically Selected Media Content to a User of an Electronic Device ina Social Network Environment,” which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/503,242 filed on Aug. 11, 2006 for “System and Method for DynamicallyProviding a News Feed About a User of a Social Network,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/580,210 filed on Oct. 11, 2006, for “System and Method for TaggingDigital Media,” which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/856,416 filed on Nov. 3, 2006 for “Systems and Methods for aWeb-Based Social Networking Environment Integrated Within One or MoreComputing and/or Networking Applications,” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/899,121 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “System and Methodfor Automatically Giving Gifts and Displaying Assets in a Social NetworkEnvironment,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/701,698 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “System and Method for DigitalFile Distribution,” which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/701,566 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “System and Method forAutomatic Population of a Contact File with Contact Content andExpression Content,” which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/701,595 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “System and Method forDetermining a Trust Level in a Social Network Environment,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/701,744 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “System and Method forCurtailing Objectionable Behavior in a Web-Based Social Network,” whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to web-based social networks,and more particularly to systems and methods for automatically locatingweb-based social network members.

2. Description of Related Art

Deciding whether to contact a particular friend, classmate, or coworkeroften hinges on where the person is located and what that person isdoing. Such a decision typically has to be made in a limited amount oftime with a limited amount of information. Further, when a personarrives at a particular location, such as a park or shopping mall, theyoften want to know if someone else they know is also at the samelocation. There is thus a need for systems and methods for automaticallylocating web-based social network members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods are provided for automatically locating web-basedsocial network members. An exemplary method includes receiving a GPSidentifier into a device, receiving a status into the device,associating the GPS identifier and the status, storing a copy of theassociated GPS identifier and status in a contact file on the device,and sending the associated GPS identifier and status to a servercomprising a web-based social network database. Another exemplary methodincludes receiving across a network on a server comprising a web-basedsocial network database, an associated GPS identifier and status for aweb-based social network member, updating contact content in a web-basedsocial network database record in the web-based social network databasewith the associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based socialnetwork member, and providing the contact content to a communicationsmodule for sending across the network to a device having a contact fileconfigured to automatically store the contact content.

An exemplary system according to one embodiment comprises a device witha GPS module configured to receive a GPS identifier, a status entryscreen on the device configured to receive a status, a processing moduleon the device configured to associate the GPS identifier and the status,a contact file on the device configured to store a copy of theassociated GPS identifier and status, and a communication module on thedevice configured to send the associated GPS identifier and status to aserver comprising a web-based social network database.

Another exemplary system includes a server comprising a web-based socialnetwork database, the server configured to receive across a network anassociated GPS identifier and status for a web-based social networkmember, the web-based social network database including a web-basedsocial network database record for the web-based social network member,the web-based social network database record configured to updatecontact content with the associated GPS identifier, and the serverfurther configured to provide the contact content to a communicationsmodule for sending across the network to a device having a contact fileconfigured to automatically store the contact content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture for automatically locatingweb-based social network members;

FIG. 2 shows a screenshot for an exemplary status screen used totransmit a status for a web-based social network member to a web-basedsocial network database;

FIG. 3 shows a screenshot of an exemplary web-based social networkdatabase record;

FIG. 4 shows a screenshot of an exemplary contact content screen; and

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for an exemplary method for automaticallylocating a web-based social network member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for automatically locating web-based social networkmembers are provided. According to one embodiment, a GPS identifier isreceived on a GPS-enabled device that is used to query a web-basedsocial network database. Contact content including an associated GPSidentifier and status for other web-based social network members locatedat or near the same location automatically appears on the GPS-enableddevice. A further exemplary system includes a GPS-enabled deviceconfigured to receive a GPS identifier and a status representing alocation and a current state for a web-based social network member, aprocessing module that associates the received GPS-identifier andstatus, and a communications module that sends the associatedGPS-identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based socialnetwork database. Contact content in a web-based social network databaserecord in the web-based social network database is updated to includethe associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based socialnetwork member.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture 100 for automaticallylocating web-based social network members. Architecture 100 comprises aserver 105, a network 140, and a GPS-enabled device 145. Server 105comprises a server location application 110 and a web-based socialnetwork database 135. Server location application 110 includes a querymodule 115, a privacy settings module 120, a device user settings module125 and a device specification and optimization module 130. GPS-enableddevice 145 comprises a device display 150, and a device locationapplication 155. The device location application 155 includes a GlobalPositioning System (“GPS”) module 160, a processing module 165, acontact file 170, and a communication module 175.

According to one method, a member of a web-based social network having aGPS-enabled device 145 receives a GPS identifier into GPS module 160.The GPS identifier may represent a current geographic location (e.g.street address) for the member of the web-based social network. Forexample, a GPS identifier may be received into GPS module 160 ofGPS-enabled device 145 that indicates 123 Main Street, College Town,Calif. 90210 is a current geographic location for the member. Using akeypad, touch screen, or similar mechanism on the GPS-enabled device145, the member may enter a status, which is received by the GPS-enableddevice 145. The status represents a current state for the member at ornear the time the GPS identifier is received into GPS module 160. Astatus may include an arbitrary designation such as “at home,” “atwork,” “at doctor's office,” and/or another similar arbitrarydesignation. A processing module 165 associates the received GPSidentifier with the received status. For example, the processing module165 might associate the received GPS identifier of 123 Main Street,College Town, Calif. 90210 with the received status of “at home.” A copyof the associated GPS identifier and status is stored in contact file170. A communication module 175 sends the associated GPS identifier andstatus to server 105, where it is received. The server 105 comprises aweb-based social network database 135. The web-based social networkdatabase 135 comprises a social network database record 300 (FIG. 3) foreach web-based social network member. Contact content in the web-basedsocial network database record 300 is updated to include the associatedGPS identifier and status. The updated web-based social network databaserecord may be queried by other members of the web-based social network,subject to privacy settings, as described herein.

In an alternative method, instead of receiving a GPS identifier into GPSmodule 160, a web-based social network member may manually enter astreet address on a keypad or touchscreen of a GPS-enabled device 145 ora non GPS-enabled device. The street address is received by theGPS-enabled device 145 or the non GPS-enabled device in a manner similarto the way a GPS identifier is received by a GPS-enabled device 145.When a corresponding status is received by the GPS-enabled device 145 orthe non GPS-enabled device, processing module 165 associates thereceived street address with the received status. Contact file 170stores a copy of the associated street address and status, andcommunication module 175 sends the associated street address and statusto server 105.

In a further alternative method, the GPS identifier may includeinformation utilizing or originating from one or more of severaldifferent types of technologies that provide either fully or partiallylocation-based information, including, without limitation, network-basedtriangulation as well as hybrid approaches using various GPS networks.

In an exemplary system, processing module 165 is further configured tocheck contact file 170 for a corresponding status if a GPS identifier isreceived into GPS module 160 without a corresponding status. If acorresponding status is found, it will be displayed on device display150. If a status corresponding to a received GPS identifier is not foundin contact file 170, communication module 175 sends the received GPSidentifier to server 105 without the status. Query module 115 on server105 queries web-based social network database 135 for a statusassociated with the GPS identifier. If a status corresponding to the GPSidentifier is found in the web-based social network database 135, it issent from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. Processing module 165associates the received GPS identifier with the status, and a copy ofthe associated GPS identifier and status is stored in contact file 170.

In a further exemplary method, a received GPS identifier is sent bycommunication module 175 to server 105, regardless of whether thereceived GPS identifier has an associated status in contact file 170and/or in web-based social network database 135. In response, querymodule 115 on server 105 queries web-based social network database 135for contact content of other members of the web-based social networkhaving a matching or near matching GPS identifier in their web-basedsocial network database records 300. If one or more other members of theweb-based social network are determined to have a matching or nearmatching GPS identifier included on their web-based social networkdatabase records 300, contact content for those other members is sentfrom server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. As a result, the queryingsocial network member learns about the other social network memberslocated nearby.

In yet a further exemplary method, a received GPS identifier that doesnot have an associated status may be sent by communications module 175to server 105, whereupon server 105 or an affiliated module mayassociate the GPS identifier with a status.

According to some embodiments, a privacy settings module 120 forms partof server location application 110. Based on privacy settings selectedby a member of a web-based social network, privacy settings module 120is configured to limit querying of certain associated GPS identifiersand statuses in web-based social network database 135. For example, inone embodiment, a member of a web-based social network may selectprivacy settings to provide their associated GPS identifier and statusto only those people designated by the member as “friends” of themember.

The server location application 110 may comprise a device user settingsmodule 125 for controlling such functions as when the server 105communicates with the GPS-enabled device 145. For example, the deviceuser settings module 125 can be set to direct the server 105 tocommunicate with the GPS-enabled device 145 during standard workinghours. The device user settings module 125 can also be set to allow theserver 105 to communicate with the GPS-enabled device 145 in response tocertain changes in the web-based social network database 135. Forexample, the device user settings module 125 can be set to allow theserver 105 to communicate with the GPS-enabled device 145 when aparticular member of the web-based social network updates her associatedGPS identifier and status in her web-based social network databaserecord 300.

A device specification and optimization module 130 on the serverlocation application 110 may be configured with specifications for awide variety of GPS-enabled devices 145 communicating with the server105. The device specification and optimization module 130 recognizes thetype of GPS-enabled devices 145 being used to communicate with theserver 105 and formats an associated GPS identifier and status toaccommodate the specifications of the particular device 145. Forexample, the device specification and optimization module 130 mayautomatically recognize that a member of a web-based social network isusing a BlackBerry™ device to communicate with the server 105.Accordingly, the device specification and optimization module 130 willformat an associated GPS identifier and status sent to the device toaccommodate the device display 150 of the BlackBerry™ device.

It will readily be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthere are multiple possible combinations and locations for the hereindescribed component applications and modules. For example, web-basedsocial network database 135 may also function as part of server locationapplication 110 and/or server 105, or as a standalone application,separate from server location application 110 and/or server 105.Further, a number of commonly known communications mechanisms can beused for a GPS-enabled device 145 to communicate with the server 105across network 140. Network 140 may include an Internet network and/orother wireless or wired networks such as mobile device carrier networks.Further, GPS-enabled device 145 may also directly communicate with otherdevices similar to GPS-enabled device 145. All of these variationsremain within the scope of claimed embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a screenshot for an exemplary status screen 200. Exemplarystatus screen 200 is used to send a received status of a web-basedsocial network member to a server comprising a web-based social networkdatabase 135 (FIG. 1). The exemplary status screen 200 includes a statusentry box 205, instructions 210 and status selections 215. The statusscreen 200 typically appears on device display 150 (FIG. 1).

A status for a web-based social network member is received in statusentry box 205. According to one embodiment, the status may be receivedvia manual entry by a web-based social network member on a keypad or ona touchscreen on a GPS-enabled device 130 (FIG. 1). In a furtherembodiment, a status may be received from another device that is thesame as or similar to GPS-enabled device 145.

In the exemplary status screen 200, instructions 210 instruct aweb-based social network member to select a status from seven arbitrarystatus selections 215. These selections include, “[a]t home,” “[a]t thelibrary,” “[a]t work,” “[a]t class,” “[o]ut at a party,” “sleeping,”and/or “other.” If the web-based social network member selects a statusof “other,” they may be prompted to type-in an arbitrary status torepresent their current state. For example, a web-based social networkmember selecting a status of “other” by entering selection “7” intostatus entry box 205 is prompted to type-in “Bar.” According to oneembodiment, a GPS identifier received into GPS module 160 will beassociated by processing module 165 with the received status of “Bar.”For example, a GPS identifier received into GPS module 160 may be astreet address of “123 Main Street, College Town, Calif., 90120.”Accordingly, processing module 165 will associate “123 Main Street,College Town, Calif., 90120” with “Bar.” A copy of the associated GPSidentifier and status (i.e. “Bar, 123 Main Street, College Town, Calif.,90120”) is stored in contact file 170, and communication module 175sends the associated GPS identifier and status to server 105.

It will readily be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatother status selections may be included in exemplary status screen 200and remain within the scope of embodiments claimed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a screenshot of an exemplary web-based social networkdatabase record 300. The exemplary social network database record 300 isfor John Smith of Harvard University. The social network database record300 includes John Smith's contact content 305. According to variousembodiments, contact content includes some or all information inweb-based social network database 135. Contact content also includesexpression content, such as audio/video. Audio/video is any audio,video, audiovisual, pictorial, photograph, image form, text file, and/orall variations and combinations thereof.

The contact content 305 shown in exemplary social network databaserecord 300 includes John Smith's associated GPS identifier and status310. In the social network database record 300, John Smith's associatedGPS identifier and status 310 is “Bar, 123 Main Street, College Town,Calif. 90120.”

FIG. 4 shows a screenshot of an exemplary contact content screen 400. Acontact content screen such as contact content screen 400 is displayedon the device display 150 (FIG. 1) of the GPS-enabled device 145 (FIG.1). A social network database record such as social network databaserecord 300 (FIG. 3) is one possible source of some or all of the contactcontent appearing on a contact content screen, such as exemplary contactcontent screen 400.

The contact content screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is for John Smith ofHarvard University. The contact content screen 400 includes some or allof John Smith's contact content 305, which includes an associated GPSidentifier and status 310 for John Smith.

According to some embodiments, some or all of the contact content on thecontact content screen 400 automatically populates a contact file 170(FIG. 1) on the GPS-enabled device 145, as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/701,566 filed on Feb. 2, 2007 entitled “Systemand Method for Automatic Population of a Contact File with ContactContent and Expression Content,” and incorporated herein by reference.

According to further embodiments, after a GPS identifier is receivedinto GPS module 160 of GPS-enabled device 145, communication module 175sends the GPS identifier to server 105 (FIG. 1) to query web-basedsocial network database 135 for corresponding contact content. If one ormore other members of a web-based social network are determined to havea matching or near matching GPS identifier included in their web-basedsocial network database records 300, contact content as seen inexemplary contact content screen 400 corresponding to those othermembers is sent from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. As a result,the querying social network member learns about the other social networkmembers located nearby.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for an exemplary method 500 for automaticallylocating members of a web-based social network.

At step 505, GPS-enabled device 145 (FIG. 1) receives a GPS identifierinto GPS module 160 (FIG. 1). In exemplary embodiments, a GPS identifierrepresents a street address for a web-based social network member. In afurther embodiment, a GPS identifier can be entered by a web-basedsocial network member using a keypad or touchscreen on a GPS-enableddevice 145, or on a keypad or touchscreen of a device that is notGPS-enabled.

At step 510, the GPS-enabled device 145 sends the GPS identifier toserver 105 (FIG. 1). According to various embodiments, communicationmodule 170 (FIG. 1) in GPS-enabled device 145 sends the GPS identifierto the server 105.

At step 515, server 105 receives the GPS identifier across network 140(FIG. 1) from the GPS-enabled device 145. In some embodiments, network140 may include an Internet network and/or other wireless or wirednetworks such as mobile device carrier networks.

At step 520, query module 115 (FIG. 1) on server 105 queries web-basedsocial network database 135 (FIG. 1) for contact content (including anassociated GPS identifier and status) of other web-based social networkmembers having a GPS identifier that is the same as, or closely relatedto the received GPS identifier.

At step 525, server 105 checks a privacy settings module 120 (FIG. 1).According to one embodiment, the privacy settings module 120 isconfigured to limit contact content (including an associated GPSidentifier and status) sent from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145.In an alternative embodiment, a privacy settings module 120 isconfigured to limit querying of web-based social network database 135.

At step 530, server 105 checks a device user settings module 125 (FIG.1). According to some embodiments, device user settings module 125controls such functions as when server 105 communicates with GPS-enableddevice 145. In a further embodiment, device user settings module 145 isconfigured to direct server 105 to communicate updated contact content(including an associated GPS identifier and status) to the GPS-enableddevice 145 in response to certain changes in web-based social networkdatabase 135.

At step 535, server 105 checks a device specification and optimizationmodule 130 (FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the devicespecification and optimization module 130 is configured withspecifications for a wide variety of GPS-enabled devices 145communicating with server 105. Device specification and optimizationmodule 130 recognizes the type of GPS-enabled device 145 being used tocommunicate with the server 105 and formats contact content toaccommodate the specifications of the GPS-enabled device 145.

At step 540, contact content (including an associated GPS identifier andstatus) for the other members of the web-based social network having thesame or a closely related GPS identifier is sent from server 105 toGPS-enabled device 145. According to some embodiments, a number ofcommonly known communications mechanisms are used for server 105 tocommunicate across network 140 with GPS-enabled device 145.

At step 545, the GPS-enabled device 145 receives contact content(including an associated GPS identifier and status) from the server 105.

At step 550, the contact content is automatically stored in contact file170 (FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, a contact file 170 is acomponent of the device location application 155 (FIG. 1) on theGPS-enabled device 145.

At step 555, the contact content is displayed on device display 150(FIG. 1) of GPS-enabled device 145.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. For example, any of the elements associated withautomatically locating web-based social network members may employ anyof the desired functionality set forth hereinabove. Thus, the breadthand scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by a socialnetworking system, location information for a device associated with afirst user of the social networking system; and identifying a seconduser in proximity to the first user.